How To Navigate an Internal Move within Your Current Company

Applying to a job is something we’re all probably familiar with. But what about transitioning to another role within the same company? While the job application and interview processes are similar, career experts point out that there are two points you should consider when making an internal move: the political and the tactical. 

By Helen Harris

There are many reasons to consider a job change within your current company. It could be that you’re ready for more responsibility or you need to move on for your mental health.

Sure, you could apply outside your company, but you’re wondering what advantages exist where you are. As you peruse your company’s job postings and something catches your eye. This could be a great opportunity. 

Should you take a chance and apply? 

“Navigating an internal job switch is one of the best and easiest ways to find a new role you’re excited about,” said Will Rippetoe, career coach. “Making an internal switch is a great way to get promoted, receive a pay bump, grow your skill set or remove yourself from a toxic situation.” 

Melanie Denny, personal branding consultant, international career speaker and award-winning resume expert adds to Rippetoe’s sentiment, stating that the obvious benefit of applying within your company to another position is that you already know the company culture, have a built-in network and can even seek the guidance of your boss during this transition. 

However, Rippetoe notes that there are two elements you should consider when navigating an internal move within your company: the political and the tactical. 

Political Aspects Associated with an Internal Career Move

Even though you may see it as just a job application, your transition to another department or role within your company could shake things up (depending on how you go about it). 

That’s why Rippetoe advises that you first ask yourself two questions:

1. Have you been in your current role for at least two years? This is the minimum amount of time that most employers expect you to stay in your current role when considering you for another role. 

2. Does your current manager know that you are exploring other opportunities? Ideally, you should express your interest in the position to your manager before applying. 

“If that answer to both questions is yes, you should be able to job switch internally with ease,” said Rippetoe. “If the answer to either question is no, you can still switch jobs internally, but there’s a bit more nuance to the process.”  

Additionally, before even bringing the subject to your manager’s attention, he recommends that you’ll want to find out from HR (off the record) if you’re allowed to switch roles within your time frame, or if doing so requires your manager’s approval. 

Denny says before mentioning anything to anyone, it’s critical to thoroughly review the job description and make sure it’s something that you’re invested in pursuing.  

“Because if you're moving internally, your manager is probably going to want to know why — and you need to be able to articulate it clearly,” said Denny. “And, if you do get the roll, make sure you set up a good transition plan. Make that extra effort to transition from your current role into the other department and to not leave anyone high and dry.” 

Tactical Aspects with an Internal Career Move

After you’ve considered the political, you’re now ready to consider the next aspect of your internal transition: the tactical. Rippetoe explains that this is simply how you’ll make the transition happen. 

Rippetoe explains that by using your company’s internal jobs tool, you should be able to look up who the hiring manager is for any given role. He first recommends reaching out to the hiring manager. 

“Let them know who you are, the work that you’ve done at the company thus far, and why you’re interested in the role on their team,” said Rippetoe. “Express interest and ask them if you should apply or not. If they say yes, there’s a good chance you’ll at least get an interview .”

Rippetoe also offers the following tips when starting your internal job-application process:  

1. If your manager does not know you are searching, ask the hiring manager if it’s possible to interview off the record and make sure to explain why you desire to do so. 

“Be very careful when navigating this,” said Rippetoe. “If your current manager finds out you are job searching behind your back, things can get very awkward, very fast.” 

2. Be proactive. If you’ve been wanting to join a specific team and don’t see a job opening, reach out to the hiring manager and express your interest before they have an open role on the team.

“Introduce yourself, express your interest, and ask if you can take on any side projects,” said Rippetoe. “Ideally, let your manager know that you are doing this, and assure them that it will not impact your current deliverables. This is the best way to build a relationship ahead of time and become the first person the hiring manager thinks of when they hire for new roles.”

Denny adds to this point, stressing the importance of building your network and relationships within your company when looking to transition internally, stating that it’s never a bad idea to ask to connect over coffee, Zoom or lunch. 

How To Best Prepare for Your Internal Move 

Once you’ve considered the tactical and political elements of your internal move, you’ll need to focus on how to prove that you are the best candidate for the role. 

So, how do you prove that you’re ready to move up in title or transfer to another position within your company? 

To start, Denny advises not to think that just because you’re already an employee you can slack off during that application and interview process. 

“Just because you work there already, you still need to show up; update your resume , take it seriously and prepare for the interview,” said Denny. “Research the requirements and show how your skill set is going to be in alignment with that new job.” 

And when it comes to the interview process, Brittney Swan, executive recruiter and resume writer, points out that you have a major advantage: The cost to place a person internally is way lower than bringing someone in and having to retrain them. 

“During your interview, the major speaking point should be about you already doing the job and not needing training in certain areas,” said Swan. “And when they ask you to tell them a time where you had to deal with a difficult situation, you’ll be able to give an example of something that you've already done that fits the bill of the job that you're applying for. Those are the types of things that you want to focus on.” 

Ultimately, Swan notes that most companies strive to hire internally and choose this avenue first, as it’s more cost efficient and maintains a high sense of morale among employees.   

“It is very costly for companies to market externally or use third-party sites,” said Swan. “A company will always use their internal tools first.” 

Top Takeaways 

How To Navigate an Internal Move within Your Current Company

• Making an internal switch is a great way to get promoted, receive a pay bump, grow your skill set or remove yourself from a toxic situation.
• There are two elements you should consider when navigating an internal move within your company: the political and the tactical. 
• Once you’ve considered the tactical and political elements of your internal move, you’ll need to focus on how to prove you are the best candidate for the role.
• “Just because you work there already, you still need to show up; update your resume, take it seriously and prepare for the interview.”
• Most companies strive to hire internally and choose this avenue first, as it’s more cost efficient and maintains a high sense of morale among employees.